Spring device



Nov. 15, 1927. 1,649,643

w. P. ALBERT SPRING DEVICE led Nov. 22. 1922 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Nov. 15, 192 7.

1,649,643 w. P. ALBERT SPRING DEVICE Filed Nov. 22. 1922 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 w. P. ALBERT Nov. 15, 1927.

SPRING DEVICE Filed NOV. 22. 1922 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 +2 m: m: 02 $2 E l Patented Nov. 15, 1927.

WALTER P. ALBERT, OF EAST ORANGE, NEW JERSEY.

* SPRING DEVICE.

Application filed November 22. 1922. Serial No. 602.576.

This invention relates to spring devices and more particularly to spring devices in which a fluid is used as the elastic element.

It is the object of this invention to provide a new and improved spring device of the above stated character and one which is simple and inexpensive in construction and etlicient andccrtain in operation.

The device forming the subject of the present invention is used for controlling the relative movements of two members. such as the frame and axle. of a vehicle. adapted to be caused to perform a primary and econdary n'iovcment. e. g. to approach and separate from each other. in accordance with the invention energy is generated during the initial or primary movement of said members. and this energy is used to counteract a s condary movement of aid members. preferably. a fluid such as air is used for checking the relative movements of said members. separate fluid conta ners being provided for checking the relative movements in one and the opposite direction. The initial or primary movement of said members i preferably free. no matter in which direction it occurs. and part of the energy generated and stored during such movement will he utilized for check ng" the sulweqnent or secondary movement connertion i provided between the two outaincr through which fluid may pa--- Fr m one to the other.

in am-ordanee with one of the features of the pre ent invention. a "valve or the like is provided in said connection whereby the pa sage of fluid from one container to the other is 'ierniitted only when the pressure in a container exceeds a predetermined amount.

The valve may respond to pressures in one or both ontainers or it may respond to relativclv different pres ures in the containers.

in ac ordance with one en'ihodiment of the invention. the two fluid containers are hollows interi-onuccted by a tube. The compress on and evpansion of these bellows is pret'erahly controlled by a parallelogram toegle fram \Yhcn this frame is distorted in the dire tion of one oi its diagonal then one. and when distorted in the direction of the other diagonal. then the other l cllows is con'ipressed. ll hen; one bel ow is compressed. the other is expanded and vice versa. The frame and bellows are so arrange ltliat the compression of one bellows opposes the movement of said members in one direction and that of the other in the opposite direction. Preferably. though not necessarily. the bellows are at right angles to each other. The force exerted in the direction of one diagonal of the parallelogram can be resolved into a force in the direction of the other diagonal by multiplying said force by the tangent of the angle formed by a side of the parallelogram and the first mentioned diagonal. I

In accordance with a second embodiment of the invention. two bellows are provided. one between the two members (e. 3. frame, and axle of a vehicle) and the other above or below the members. The, two bellows are alternately compressed and expanded during the approaching and separation of said member. They are interconnected in substantiallv the same manmr as above de s ribed and air is permitted to pa s from one to the other at certain predetermined oressurcs. Here again. the air in the bellows resi ting the secondary movement. e. g. mav be compressed to a relatively high pressure be fore the valve n the connection is actuated. and means must be provided rapidl to rednce in this bellows the air pressure to normal when the members approach each other because otherwise this bellows will aid the subsequent approaching tendencv of said members. i

These and other features of the invention will more clearly appear from the following descriptions of various embodiments of the inventive idea and the app nded cl-iuo Tn the drawings various features of the invention are illnstrated'as embodied in a device adapted to act as a sho k absorber or snuhber for vehicles equipped with metallic springs. However. it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that the invention is applicable to act without the aid of metallic springs and may be utilized for responding to vibrations or shocks and acts as a S115; pension for other mechanisms than vehicies. Figs. l--5 illustrate a preferred embodiment of the pre ent invention. Fig. 1 is a plan view of the device having one form of con-- net-ting link between the bellows. Fig. 2 a side elevation of the device showing a valve controlled connecting link such as is more clearly illustrated in Fig. 6. Fig. 3 is a cross-section along lines 3-3 of Fig. 2 with the 'alve removed: Fig. 4 illustrates a modification of the connecting link between the vertical and horizontal bellows; Figs. 5 and of the link are pivoted 6 illustrate a further modification of this connecting link, Fig. 6 being a sectional view along lines G-6 of Fig. 5. Figs. 7 and 8 show the device in various operated posi tions.

Figs. 9, 10 and 11 illustrate a second embodiment of various features of the present- .invention, Fig. 9 being a side elevation. Fig. 10 a cross section along lines 10-10 of Fig. 9, Fig. 11 an enlarged view of the valve mechanism.

The preferred structure consists of a vertical and a horizontal bellows 1 and 2 interconnected by means of a short metallic tube 3 of relatively slight cross section. The bellows may be constructed of any suitable material. but I prefer to use an outer casing 4 of rubber impregnated tire fabric and an inner c ing 5 of rubber such as is u ed for inner tubes. The outer casing of the bellows are properly shaped to permit the collapsing and extending of the bellows and the inner tube 5 will follow the configuration of the outer casing. The two ends of cach bellows are held in clamps G. 7 and 8. 9 respe tively, the construction of whi h will he more fully explained in connection with Fig. It), and which serve to eal air tight the bellow and to clamp together the outer casing and inncr tube. Similarly one end of the tube fl i held by means of a clamp '10 around an apcrt are in hollOWS 2 and the other end of this tube is held by means of a clamp 11 in an aperture of bellows l. The bellows 1 is pro 'ided with a suitable 'alve 12. such as a hchrader valve. by means of which the bellows may be inflated and deflated. The clamps 6 and 7 are riveted or otherwi e fasteucd to two memb rs ada ted to approach and separate from ea h oih r. in the pre ent case to he frame Qt ol a vehi le such as an automobile and the spring 21. re pectively. The four ends of the bellow are mounted on the pivot point of a parallelogram togtilt frame. This frame is ompo ed of four links. 29.. 23. ii and '25. 'lhc adjacent ends on pin Qtl. 2T. and The link are t t-tr r tatable around tiltsc pin one cnd f n: link: -Hch t 3-3 beimg t'orl-ccd a clr-arlv shown in Fig. l to enclo ithe adi-n ut and of the ober line L i. All the other linlc are similarly arranged. it hould be noted however. that the pin 2*; and 2% :Ho long-er than the pins 27 and L'fl \vlic cln, the two lrllowl and 2 will be held sidc by si lc. The adjacen cnds of he links are ent at r ght angles to form cll ow Q53". i'l". 25 and for the purpo c of limiting the distort on oi the paraltel gram.

Before the dcvi-rc is placed on the vehicle, it is t't)lll]il(-t l into sulstanially the form shown in Fig. T and the bellows l is slightly inllatol hron -h he valve 12. \Vhcn mountit is fully inflated through i r .i ,l. cd or. tilt? John valve 12 so that it will tend to assume the position shown in Fig. 2, i. e. a position in which the angle 0 formed by the horizontal diagonal and a side of the parallelogram is 45. This initial inflation of the device establishes a balance of pressures in the two bellows and the energy thus stored will in addition to supplementing the metallic spring in responding to slight vibrations, facilitate the passing of energy from one bellows to the other, i. e. the snubber action of the device in response to large primary movements. lVithoutsuch reserve energy, it would be necessary first to generate such energy during the primary movement necessitating a relatively large structure, or provide means for supplying the energy from an outside source, 9. g. air compressed by the engine of the vehicle. rendering the de vice more complicated. The size of the device is such that. when fully inflated. the vertical bellows l tills the space between and 21 before the angle 0 becomes llue to this the vertical bellows 1 tends to lift the frame 20 or cooperate with spring 21 in the lifting thereof and. as will be hereinafter set forth more in detail. will continue to do so while the angle 0 is less than 45. When for any reason the frame 20 and spring 21 are caused to approach each other and therefore the parallclograin distorted into the shape shown in Fig. 7. the bellows l will be compressed and the bellows 2 extended. Un the other hand. when, during the rebound. the frame 20 and spring 21 tend to separate. the bellows 2 will be compressed and the bellows 1 extended. (Fig.

During the primary and secondary movements of Q0 and it. the air will always tend to flow through the tube t toward the bellows that is extended. this constituting the storing of energy :Ien ratwl by the 'u'imary movement of members Qt) and 21. The. cncrgy thus pas-cd thr ugh tube fl during the primary movement. and tored as pres sure in cithcr one of the bellow will serve to check the following secondary movement before the members return to thcir initial position.

The pa sage of air out of the bellows compres ed during the primary IIIOVtltlOlli will tend to prevent the rebound or secondary movement fir t, by the-fact that the pressure is partially relieved by this draiu which in itself will tend to maltc the rebound less, and sec nd the air which is passed through tube 3 performs the furth r function of assisting to cl colt the rebound before the normal or starting point is reached by 20 and St. A double action is thus produccd to chcclt the rebound.

The motion of frame 20 caused by a shock i a simple harmonic motion and when coir sidcred with respect to time can be re olved into a sine-wave. The time required for Ill) tne turning movement is relatively long as shown by the sine-wave, as about seventenths of the movement occurs during the first quarter and the last quarter of the time interval. and the three-tenths occupied by the turning movement requires the other half of the time. This will give ample time for the dissipation of part of the energy stored during the primary movement. A part of this dissipated energy is used to check the secondary movement, said movement being indirectly checked also by the reduction of the energy which causes it. Not much air is passed from the compression chamber until the movement is practically checked, but air will pass before the rebound starts and, due to the construction of the device will flatten out the rebound movement.

The action of the vertical bellows 1 is always a fprce dependent upon the air pres surc created therein and the cross section of this bellows. This force tends to separate the spring 21 and body or frame 20. The force exerted by the horizontal bellows 2 along the vertical axis is dependent upon the air pressure therein and its cross section and the tangent of the angle 0 of the horizontal axis and a side of the parallelogram. This force is exerted in a direction tending to draw the spring 21 and frame 20 together. The algebraic sum of these two forces along the vertical axis gives at any instant the force exerted by the device upon the frame 20 and spring 21.

Since the pressures in each of the bellows at any given instant are dependent upon the rate of compression or expansion, it may be well to note that the rate of compression or expansion of the vertical bellows 1 is directly proportional to the rate of relative movement of the frame and spring whereas the rate of compression or expansion of the horizontal bellows 2 is the rate of relative movement of the spring and frame multiplied by the tangent of the angle 0. This accounts for the tremendous force exerted to check the rebound because, when the horizontal bellows 2 is most effective to check the vertical motion, the pressure is greatest in the horizontal bellows bet-air 0 its rate of compression is greatest. This great restraining force may be obtained without exceedingly high pressures in the horizontal bellows due to the fact that the pressure is multiplied by the tangent of the angle 6. Even with .a constant pressure instead of an increasing one in bellows 2. the retarding force preventing the separation of the frame 20 and spring 21 in- ('IOUMS very rapidly when the parallelogram is distorted into the position of Fig. 8.

The interconnecting pipe 3 may be moditied in the manner shown in Fig. 4 or Figs. 5 and 6. As shown in Fig. 4 the connecting link 3 is made of rubber or other resilient material the opening through which is normally nearly closed and is opened in proportion to the ditlerence in pressure in bellows 2 and 1. Similarly the interconnecting pipe 3 shown in Figs. 2, 5 and 6 is normally closed by means of a clamp 30 which is held closed by means of a spring 31 )laced under tension by a screw 32 which is adjustably supported in a frame 33 surrounding the clamp 3 If the pressure of the air forced througi the tube 3* is sufiicient to overcome the tension of spring 31 then air will pass from one bellows into the other. The opening and closing of the clamp 30 is controlled also by means of a. lever 31 which is pivoted within the jaws of the clamp 30 at 35 and which by means of a projection 36 ma pry open the clamp. A weight 37 is slidably adjustable on the lever 34 and due to its kinetic inertia will aid the opening of the clamp 30 when the frame :0 is checked in its moveme t down or up.

lxetcrring now to Figs. 9, 0 and 11, is the frame, 101 the spring and 102 the axle of a vehicle. A U-bolt 103 which is riveted or clamped to the axle supports two bellows 104 and 105. The bellows are composed of an outer casing 106 of tire fabric, reinforced by suitable means such as wire 107. The inner casing 108 is of rubber and may be a section of an inner tube. The two ends of each casing are held by means of clamps 109, 110, 111 and 112. The clamps are hollowed out in their center within which fit wedges 113, 114, and 116, respectively. The ends of the inner and outer casings of a bellows are placed between the co-acting faces of a wedge and a clamping disc 109 113 and are clamped tight by means of screws such as 117. The discs 111 and 110 are attached to the frame 100, and these discs as well as their cooperating wedges 114 and 11.5 are traversed by tubes 118 and 119. The ends of these pipes 118 and 119 terminate in chambers 120 and 121, respectively, provided within a casing 122. Air may pass from one chamber into the other through openings 123, 124, and 126, however, normally communication between these chambers is blocked by means of a plunger 128. The plunger'is carried by a rod 120 pivoted at on one arm of an L shaped lever 131. The L shaped lever 131 is loosel v mounted on the casing 122 at 132 through a loose link 132 whereby the tree movement of the plunger 128 and rod 129 is insured. Its clockwi e or couutcrclockwise rotation being controlled by springs 133, 134 and a weight 135. The weight 135 is horizontally adjustable on the other arm of the L shaped lever 131, and the springs 133, 134 may be tensioned by means of screws 136 and 137. the former of which is provided in a shoulder 138 of the casing 122 and the latter in the vertical arm of the L shaped lever The upper chamber 120 is provided with a pinhole 140 through which communication may be had with the outside atmosphere.

The disc 110 and wedge 111 are perforated at 141 this opening being controlled by a ball-.valve 142.

lVhen the frame 100 and axle 102 are caused to approach each other, the bellows 104 will be compressed and the bellows 105 extended. Due to the extension of the betlows 105, the air pressure therein will be reduced whereby the ball-valve 112 will be opened and the bellows 105 connected With the outside atmosphere through opening 141.. ()n the other hand, the air in bellows 10-1 will be gradually compressed lending thus to retard the relative movement of the frame 100 and axle 102. The springs 133 and 131 and the weight 135 are so adjusted that when the air pressure applied through the duct lit) to the right hand end of ,the plunger 12S reaches a certain pressure. e.

(it). )ounds ier st uare inch. the )lltlltltl' will be displaced from its position -ll()\\'ll in Figs. 10 and 11 and pushed again t the action of spring. 133 in a left hand direction. This movement of the plunger 128 is aided also the weight 135. which, asthe downward movement of the frame 100 is retarded. tends to rotate the L-Fhapcd lever 131 in a counterclockwisedirection. \Vhen the plunger is thus displaced air will pass from the bel lows 104 through the pipe 119.and chamber 121. and then through openings .20 and .124 into the bellows 105. Thu it will be seen thatunder the control of the plunger 128 the pressure within the bellows is maintained at a maximum. the creation of an excess pre sure being prevented by causing the air to pass-into the bellows 105.

' The driving of air from 10 1 to 105 will continue as long as there is a tendency furtherto compress the air in 101. An excc s'p'ressure will be created in 105 by passage of air from 104 which will cau e the clo ing oi the valve 112. Vhen the coinpri ssioirot' bellows 104 cease the plunger 12? will attain return to its normal position sliownin Fig. 0 and the bellpws 105 and 104. will be again separatedj However. at this time. we have an excess pressure in bellows 105 which will serve to absorb or deaden the rebound oi the frame 100. lVhilc the frame 100 is caused to approach chimp 10.). the bellow 105 is compressed and the bellow 101 is extended. Th extension oi the bellows 104 is without noticeable etlect but the compression of bellows 105 will cau e the further compre sion of the air therein. Via-n the air pressure iirthe bellows 105 exceed the pressure in bellows 104,

the plunger 128 is operated against the action of spring 134 and moves in a right; hand direction rotating the L shaped lever in a clockwise direction. ,As was the case in the previotts instance, the rotation of the lever 131 and therefore the displacing of the plunger 128 is aided by the k netic inertia of the weight 135 which is now caused to eon tinue. its upward movement. Air may now pass through openings 123 and 125 into the bellows 104 whereby pressure within bellows 105 ill be prevented from exceeding" a certain maximum and energy i .tored in the bellows 101 in theform oi compressed air for the purpose of counteractingthe downward movement of the frame 100.

Part of the air drawn into 105 through ball-valve 142 on the downward movement of frame 100 and possibly all the air passed from 104 to 105 on the compression of 104 is pumped back into 104 on compression of 105. In other words. a certain pressure is maintained in bellows 104 due to pump action of bellows 105and this pressure tends to lift; the weight of the frame oil of metallic springs. Pressure in 104 is prevented from beeon'iing excessive because of the above described valve action. The pressure in 104 is normally higher than in .105 except on a rebound. Here. as in the previous case. due to the passage of air from 104; to 105 on compression of 104. the retarding action of 105 begins before the normal or starting point is reached and. increases very rapidly after the norinzil position is passed. The retarding force is determined also by the intensity of the initial movement or in other words by the amount or volume of air passed from 10 1 to 105 on compression of 104.

llheu the pressure in the bellows .105 falls below the pressure in bellows 104, the plunger 128 will be brought back to its normal position'shown in Fig. 9 and the passage of further air from bellows 105 to 104 prevented. Air escaping, through pinhole 140 will continuously decrease the pressure in the bellows 105 until, when it falls below atmospheric pressure,'the ball-valve 142 will be again opened, permitting the rushing in of air. The hole 140 is so small that the escape of air therethroug'h will not: appreciably interfere with the action of this bellows 105 to deadcn the rebound of th trame. 110w ever, air will beeseaping through it con.- tinuously and when shortly after the tendency of frame 100 to approach clamp 109 ceases. the pinhole 1 10 together with the extension of the bellows 105 will, be suflicient; to re-establish the atmospheric pressure in the bellows. Furthermore. some air will be escaping through the opening provided in casing 122 for the rod 129. As a matter of fact, this opening may be provided large enough whereby the provision of a separate pinholebeeomes unnecessary. ,The rapid reestablisliment of atmospheric pressure within me bellows 105 after the frame 100 is again caused to approach the axle 102, is of great importance because otherwise the air pressure in bellows 105 would cause to speed up the downward travel of the frame which of course would be undesirable.

What I claim is: 1. In a device for controlling primary and secondary relative movements of two members, two fluid containers normally under relatively high pressure and normally exerting a pressure on said members, and means for compressing the fluid in onecon tainer during the primary and in the other during the secondary movement. 7

In a device for controlling primary and secondary relative movements of two i'nenibers, two chambers, means for compressing the air in one chamber during the primary and iii the other chamber during the secondary movement, means for maintaining in the normal position of said members equal and higher than atmospheric pressures in said chambers and cxtendible means cooperating with one of said chambers and responsive to the air pressure therein for forcing said members apart;

3. In a device for controlling primary and secondary relative movements of two mem- 30, bers, two fluid containers, means for balancing the pressures in said containers by establishing equal but higher than atmospheric pressures therein, means operative at equal pressures in said containers for sepa rating said meiiit-crs, means. for increasing the pressure in one container and decreasing it in the other during the primary and vice versa during the secondary movement, and means for reestablishing the balanced presssures in said containers.

4. In a device for controlling primary and secondary relative movements of two members, two fluid containers normally under equal but higher than atmospheric pressures, means for varying the pressure of the fluid in one container during the primary and in the other container during the secondary movement, and means for passing a' quantity of fluid from one to the other when 59 any difference in relative pressures exists in said containers. p r

In a device for controlling primaryand secondary relative movements of two members, two fluid containers normally under equal but higher than atmospheric pressures and normally tending to separate said members, means for-varying the pressure of the fluid in one container during the primary w 'l in the other during the secondary movecut, and means for passing a. quantity of fluid from one containcrto 'liie other'wlien the pressure therein exceeds a certain value.

6. In a. device for controlling primary and secondary relative movements of two main bers, two bello\\'s, means for compressing one and extending the other one of the bellows during the primary iiioveuieaii and vice versa' during the secondary movement, a commuiii- 7 rating passage bctwccn said bellows through which a quantity of air may be passed from one bellows to the other when certain relative prrssuris are established, and means for maintaining equal pressi'ires in said bellows in the normal position of said members. the equal Pl'trfiilll't'f being higher than atmosplicric and lower than the maximum or said relative pressures; 7. In a device for controlling primary and secondary relative movements of two m em bars, two fluid containers, means for pressing the fluid in one containenduring the primary and in theotlier during' the secondary n'iovemcnt. a connectionb'etweti said containers through which fluid may pass, a weight arranged to, follow 'w'it-hin certain limits the movements offsaidmem} bers, and means operative in the two extreme positions of said weight forqaidingin the opening of said connection. v I

8. In a device for controlling primary. and secondary relative movements of two'membcrs, pro. ng the fluid in one container during the primary movement, a connection between sa d containers through which fluid-may two fluid containers, means for comunder equal but higher than atmospheric pressures. and a toggle frame connected with said members, and containers to compress the fluid in .one during the primary and; in the other during the secondary movement-- 10. In a device for controlling primer;

and secondary relative mo ements of two members, two fluid containers arrangedfto .resist said movements. links interconnecting said containers and niembers,the'linkingzbeing connected in such a i'nanner-ttrat "'the force exerted by the fluid in one container. is

determined by the tangent of theungle. formed by the axis of this container with an adjacent 'link. i

11. In a device for controllingprimaryi and secondary relative movements -of two members, two fluid containers arranc'ed to resist said mo'rcinentsI-a toggle frame-for compressing one or the other confainr in response to said movements so ajrraiigedith at the force exerted'by tlie' compr'essed tliiidin one container is "determined bv-the'tangent of the angleformed by the axis of thisconaiaer with. the connected'toggle arm.

12. In a device for controlling primary and secondary relative movements of two members. two fluid containers for resisting said movements, a toggle frame through which said containers are connected with said members and with each other, said frame being so arranged that the rate of compression and expansion of fluid in one container is proportional to the rate of said movements, and the rate of compression and expansion of the fluid in the other container is determined by the rate of said movement multiplied by the tangent of the angle formed by the axis of the last mentioned container with the frame member connected therewith.

. 13. In a device for controlling primary and secondary relative movements of two members, two fluid containers for resisting said movements, a toggle frame through which said containers are .connected' with said members-and with each other, said frame being so arranged that the rate of compression and expansion of fluid in one container is directly proportional to the rate of said movements, and the rate of compression and expansion of the fluid in the other container is determined by the rate of said movements multiplied by the tangent of the angle formed by the axis of the last mentioned container with the frame member conmembers, two flexible containersof 'fluidIarranged'to resist said movements, mechanical means for resolving the primary and secondary movements into the compression and expansion, respectively, of saidbont'ainers,

said mechanical means being so arranged that 'the retarding force of the fluid in one container increases rapidly with the rate of one of said movements.

16. In adevice for controlling primary and secondary relative movements-0t two members, two fluid containers, a parallelogram frame for said containers. means including said frame for compressing the fluid in one containerduring-the primary and in the other duringflth'e secondary'movement, and aconnection between said containers through which compressed air may pass from one to the other.

17. In a device of the character describe two members caused to-approach and se; rate from each other, two containers of aIr, means for compressing the air in one container during the approach and in the Oiii' container during the separation of said 111cm bers, a connection between said Containers for passing compressed air from one to the other, a valve in said connection, and varia-- ble adjustable means including a weight and a spring for actuating said valve when certain air pressures are created in said 'contaipers.

18. In a device of the character described, two members caused to perform primary and secondary movements, two containers of air, means for compressing one container during the primary and the other container during the secondary movement, a connection between said containers from passing air from one tothe other, a valve in said connection responsive to pr edetermined air pressure in either container. and a weight the inertia of which aids the opening of the valve during either movement of said members.

19. In a device of the character described, two members moved to and from each other,

a first fluid container for checking the up proach and a second fluid container for checking the separation of said members, and a parallelogram toggle frame connected with said members at two diagonally opposite points, with one of said containers at said two points, and with the other container at the ,two, other diagonally opposite points,

20. a device ofthe character, described, two'member's causeditof approach and sepa- .rate from eachvother," two lbcllowscontaining air, 'a parallelogram frame-for said 7 bellows means including said A frame for compressing one bellows ing he app'i'oaclnandthe other during the Separation of said mem- 'bers,-a nd a connection between said; bellows for passing compressed air 'from one to the other.

21. In a device of the'character described,

two members caused to. approach and 'sepa rate from eachothen'two containers of air, 7

means for compressing the air in one container-during the approach and in the other container during the separation of said members, a tube between."saidcontainers'for pass ing compressed air-twin one to the other, a spring-pressed clamp surrounding said tube, meansdncluding a Weight fjor 'actuat- 'ing' saidclamp when certain air pressures are created in said'containers.

22, In a device of the character described, two members caused to approach and to separate from each other, a resilient means counteracting the approaching of said mom bers. a resilient means counteracting the separation of said members, means for independently affecting said members by said means upon slight relative movements of Kit said members, and means for causing the resilient means jointly to affect said members upon large relative movements thereof.

23. In a device of the character described, two members caused to approach and separate from each other, two containers of air, means for compressing the air in one container during the approach and in the other container during the separation of said members, a chamber in which said containers terminate, a plunger separating said chamber into a compartment for each container, one end of said plunger being exposed to one and the other to the other compartment, communicating channels between said compartments exposed in the actuated positions of said plungerfa lever controlling the movement of said plunger. adjustable springs bearing on said lever, and an adjustable weight on said lever.

24. In a device for controllingprimary and secondary relative movements of a vehicle and an avle. a metallic spring, and two fluid containers for resisting said movements, a mechanical connection between said eontainers and said vehicle and axle, the normal pressure in said containers acting through said connection being such as to aid said spring in bearing the weight of the vehicle, and means responsive to the creation of .excessive pre sures in one of said containers for passing part of the compressed fluid into the other container.

25. In a device for controlling primary and secondary relative movements, resilient mean responsive to all relative movements of said members, and means including said resilient means for snubbing only large relative movements.

26. In a device of the character described. two menibers caused to perform primary and secondary relative movements, a resilient means counteracting the primary and a second resilient means counteracting the secondary movement, means for independently aflecting said members by said two .resilient means upon slight relative movements of said members. and means responsive to .a' relatively large primary movement for proportionally increasing-the extent to which said second resilient means is made effective.

27. In a device for controlling primary and secondary relative movements of'two members. two fluid containers, means for compressing one container in response to a primary and the other in response to a secondary movement, and an expansible passageway interconnecting said containers through which fluid may pass from one to the other.

28. A shock absorber comprising an upper chamber and a lower chamber, a partition separating said chambers, said partition having a relatively small opening therethrough, and said chambers having a sealed wall of flexible material, and air under a predetermined compression contained within said chambers.

29. A shock absorber for a vehicle comprising a tubular corrugated casing filled .with compressed air, means to support one end of said casing upon an axle of the vehicle, means attached to said casing between the ends thereof for securing said casing to the frame of said vehicle. and a partition arranged transversely of said casing and having a restricted passage therethrough.

30. A shock absorber for a vehicle comprising a tubular expansible casing containing a medium under compression. means to support one end of said casing upon an axle of the vehicle, means attached to said casing /'between the ends thereof for securing said casing to the frame of said vehicle, and a partition arranged substantiall in alinement with said secondmeans ant transverse- 1y of said casing, said partition having a restricted passage therethrough forming a communication between opposite ends of said casing.

31. A shock absorber comprising a tubular expansible casin a partition dividing said easing into two 0 iamhers, said partition having an o ening therethrou h to form a communicatidn between sai chambers, and means to support said casing between the frame offa vehicle and the axle thereof, whereby one of said chambers is arranged to be compressed by an impact upon said axle and the other of said chambers is arranged to be compressed under the rebound from said impact. 32. A shock absorber comprising a tubular expansible casing, a partition dividing said easing into two chambers, said parti tion having an opening therethrough to form a communication between said chambers, and means to support said casing between two relatively movable parts, whereby an impact on one part causes one of said chambers to be compressed and the rebound from said impact causes the other of said chambers to be compressed.

33. A shock absorber comprising two chambers separated from each other, a rela tively small opening through which said chambers may communicate with each other, said chambers having sealed walls of flexible material, and air under a predetermined compression maintained within said chambers.

34. A shock absorber for a vehicle ,comprising two chambers enclosed by a tubular corrugated casing filled with compressed air, means for mounting said casing between the. axle and frame of the vehicle, and a restricted passage through which said chambers are interconnected.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 21st day of November, 1922.

WALTER P. ALBERT. 

